MURFREESBORO — Wanted: Consultant to solve the garbage problem once Middle Point Landfill closes in five to eight years, an official said.

"We need to have a solution to what we’re going to do with our trash before closing," said Mac Nolen, who oversees solid waste, recycling and public landfill operations for Rutherford County.

Nolen briefed the County Commission Public Works & Planning Committee on Tuesday night about teaming with the Murfreesboro government in hiring a consultant who can offer recommendations on what to do with solid waste in the long term.

Nolen said the governments will send out a request for proposal, and he expects to offer details to the committee in a couple of months.

County Mayor Ernest Burgess told the seven-member committee that both governments would share in the costs for a consultant.

Burgess agreed that a consultant is needed to offer "alternative solutions of where we need to go in the future."

Nolen, who reports to the mayor, said he expects that the consultant would spend 10 months on crafting a recommendation and continue to be available as government officials reviewed those suggestions before implementing any plans.

Commissioner Mike Kusch asked about revenue streams.

Nolen said one of the ideas that consultants could examine is whether there's a need to form a solid waste authority to determine fees for the public service.

The public may think the trash and recycling service is free, but tax dollars at this time are needed to support $9 million in costs for the solid waste operations of the county and Murfreesboro governments, Nolen said.

The proposed authority would consist of representatives from the county, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne and Eagleville, Nolen said.

Nolen suggested one possible fee for residents could be for a vehicle decal that would allow them to take their trash to one of the county's 14 recycling centers that also accept garbage. An annual decal could be sold through the County Clerk's office when residents stop by once a year to pay their vehicle registration and county wheel tax fees, Nolen said.

The county's recycling centers are supposed to be only for county residents, said Nolen, noting that the center in Eagleville turned away 55 vehicles in one day from those who live in other counties, including nearby Williamson, Marshall and Bedford counties.